June Digest: News You Can Use

June Digest: News You Can Use

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) One in 10 women will develop PTSD in her lifetime. PTSD is common among women veterans, and it is not limited to those who have taken part in combat missions. You can offer support and treatment. If you are working with a patient with PTSD, ask if she is a veteran. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers information, tools, mobile apps, and resources to help assess PTSD and compare treatments.

In Case You Missed It

If you missed the OWH Facebook Live event, Healthy Living for Women Veterans, watch it on YouTube. This discussion raises awareness of health issues affecting women veterans and the mental health resources available to them. The panel features a representative from the Department of Veterans Affairs, women veterans, and leaders in health care and mental health services for women veterans.  

How Did You Observe National Women’s Health Week (NWHW)?

Thank you for celebrating NWHW! Let us know how you and your colleagues helped women make their health a priority during #NWHW. Send your comments, stories, and pictures to Cheryl.Thompson@hhs.gov.

Tools and Resources for Patient Engagement

The Printables and Shareables section of the OWH website is now live! These tools and resources were designed to be easily downloaded, printed, and shared with patients to inform them about various health topics and encourage shared decision-making. The fact sheets, infographics, guides, videos, and webinars can be sorted by topic or publication type.

Continuing Professional Development

Only three sessions left! Are you looking for focused and concise webinars on women’s health topics? Check out this series of educational webinars developed by the Region IX Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, called WeBytes — 30–minute Webinars for the Busy Health Professional. Each session begins at 2 p.m. PT. Registration is not required. Upcoming topics include:

July 20, 2017 — Diversity in Clinical Trials

August 17, 2017 — Support for Nursing Moms at Work

September 7, 2017 — African-Americans and Breast Cancer

Funding Opportunity

The HHS Office of Minority Health announced the availability of cooperative agreement funds for the Empowered Communities for a Healthier Nation Initiative. This initiative seeks to reduce health disparities impacting racial and ethnic minorities and/or disadvantaged populations by implementing evidence-based strategies. Learn more about this funding opportunity. Applications are due by August 1, 2017, at 5 p.m. ET.

Draft Plan Available for Review and Comment

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force posted a draft research plan on screening for syphilis infection in pregnant women. The draft research plan is available for review and public comment through July 5, 2017.

The Community Guide Do you know how to address the leading health conditions affecting women? Learn more about the Community Preventive Services Task Force findings by reviewing The Community Guide. Dr. Jennifer Bishop-Crawford discusses the development of the women’s health fact sheet and how she came to rely on The Community Guide as a dependable resource in this audio clip.

Sharp Rise in Opioid-related Hospital Stays Among Women

According to a new report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, between 2005 and 2014, the national rate of opioid-related hospital stays increased substantially more for women (75%) than for men (55%), and by 2014, the rates were virtually identical (about 225 per 100,000 people). For additional information on opioids and women, read the OWH White Paper: Opioid Use, Misuse, and Overdose in Women.